The US Navy ship USS San Antonio is currently transferring the migrants onto an AFM Offshore Patrol Vessel P 51 that will soon make way to disembark the rescued migrants at the Maritime Squadron, Hay Wharf. They are due to arrive at noon today.
The AFM said last that it established contact with the US Navy vessel, USS San Antonio that was just 60 nautical miles away from the migrants dinghy.
The US Navy vessel accepted the request for help and made way to the location indicated by the AFM.
The AFM said that due to inclement weather (Force 6 winds) and as a measure to expediate the rescue operation the US Navy vessel started embarking the migrants onboard and headed toward the Maltese Coast since Malta was the closest safest port.
Photograph – Coutesy of Shawn P. Eklund Lieutenant, U.S. Navy NAVEUR-NAVAF Public Affairs Naples, Italy.
3 Comments To "USS San Antonio transferring migrants onto AFM P51 which is due in Malta at noon"
#1 Comment By Walter Sultana On October 17, 2013 @ 8:08 pm
Walter All we need now , Straight Bridge from Malta to Africa ,and we be all set .. Forget about the Bridge from Gozo to Malta ………………. GOZITAN from Xaghra
#2 Comment By Dolores Bartoli On October 18, 2013 @ 3:43 pm
I do think there should be a bridge build between Malta and Gozo
#3 Comment By Alfred Muscat On October 19, 2013 @ 1:38 pm
Thanks USA for helping these poor folk and lending Malta a hand in this humanitarian assistance.SHAME on EU for dragging its feet and taking concrete action to help MALTA and Lampedusa